There is something special about autumn in Missouri. The leaves turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and gold, the air grows cooler, and families gather to enjoy the season. For me, fall is also a reminder of how quickly time passes and how important it is to prepare for the future.

Just as nature moves through different seasons, so do our lives. We begin our careers, raise families, work hard, and eventually look forward to retirement. Each season brings its own blessings and challenges.

As your State Treasurer, I want every Missourian to enjoy their retirement years with dignity, independence, and financial peace of mind.

Unfortunately, recent news reminds us why planning ahead is so important.

According to the Social Security Administration's 2026 Trustees Report, the combined Social Security trust funds are projected to run out of reserves in 2034. Without changes to the program, Social Security would then only be able to pay approximately 83 percent of scheduled benefits.

That does not mean Social Security is going away. However, it reminds us that we should not rely on Social Security alone to provide for our retirement.

I believe every Missourian deserves the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their labor. After decades of working hard and contributing to your community, retirement should be a time to find fulfillment, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy the freedom you have earned.

Whether retirement is decades away or just around the corner, the time to prepare is now.

Even small steps today can make a meaningful difference. Contributing to a retirement account, taking advantage of employer matching contributions, and regularly reviewing your savings are all ways to prepare for the years ahead.

Of course, retirement is about more than dollars and cents. It is about having the freedom to spend time with family, visit old friends, travel, or simply enjoy a quiet autumn afternoon.

As another Missouri fall unfolds, I encourage you to think about the seasons still ahead.

To help you prepare for retirement, my office offers valuable resources through the retirement planning section of our Financial Literacy Portal at treasurer.mo.gov/financial-literacy/Retirement.

We cannot stop the passage of time, but we can prepare for it.

With thoughtful planning today, the later seasons of your life can be among the most rewarding of all.